This parliamentary event will launch the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management’s (CIWM) Circular Economy Report. This report explores how well the circular economy concept is understood across the waste and resources sector and what it means for professionals within the sector.

The national waste planning policy consultation report has been published, accompanied by the new “National Planning Policy for Waste”, which suggests councils should work “jointly and collaboratively” with other planning authorities to collect and share data and information on waste.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) launched its consultation on an updated national waste planning policy in July this year. The Department said the new policy document means councils can no longer give special consideration to locational needs, or wider economic benefits the site could bring, over other considerations, as justification for building waste facilities on green belt land.

The TRP+ Project (Training Resources Pack for Hazardous Waste Mangement) had its third Expert Workshop in Vienna at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), alongside the UNEP/ISWA Mercury Expert Group Meeting. From 25 to 26 August, six participants worked on 8 sub-chapters of the TRP+ and had very interesting and effective discussions. Topics discussed included: Mercury Wastes, PoPs, Asbestos, Physical-chemical Treatment, Waste Handling, Storage and Waste Handling, Management Systems for Safety, Environment and Social Factor. It is expected to have the final draft of these sub-chapters ready and uploaded to the online expert forum, in order to be finally compiled into the complete package next year in 2015.

National recycling and resource management company, SITA UK, has released an interactive digital map of local authority recycling data across the UK, allowing for a clear view on where low lowest and highest recyclers live.

The 6th WWEM seminar will be held on November 5 and 6, at the Telford International Centre. It is focused on measurement, testing and analysis for the water and wastewater and environmental industry. From test kits to process measurement, laboratory analysis right through to fixed and portable gas detection.